Chief accountant vs finance controller

The differences between chief accountants and finance controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a chief accountant, becoming a finance controller takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a finance controller has an average salary of $105,869, which is higher than the $61,481 average annual salary of a chief accountant.

The top three skills for a chief accountant include external auditors, reconciliations and general ledger accounts. The most important skills for a finance controller are CPA, payroll, and financial controller.

Chief accountant vs finance controller overview

	Chief Accountant	Finance Controller
Yearly salary	$61,481	$105,869
Hourly rate	$29.56	$50.90
Growth rate	6%	17%
Number of jobs	52,287	97,342
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age	44	46
Years of experience	4	8

What does a chief accountant do?

Chief accountants develop financial strategies, oversee the accounting department, make investment decisions, and develop financial strategies. They provide assistance to departments with their reviews and budgets, tax studies, and internal control. It is part of their job to respond to the accounting questions from time management. They take charge of monitoring and recording financial transactions based on corporate regulations and policies. Also, they recommend changes to the procedures of accounting.

What does a finance controller do?

A financial controller is primarily in charge of the daily finance activities and accounting functions of a company. Their responsibilities typically revolve around preparing and organizing financial reports, analyzing data and looking out for any discrepancies or inconsistencies, and overseeing the company's overall revenues and expenditures. A financial controller must also maintain documentation, participate in risk assessment and budgeting activities, and develop strategies for profit growth. Furthermore, one must coordinate with other department staff to ensure accuracy, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Chief accountant vs finance controller salary

Chief accountants and finance controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Chief Accountant	Finance Controller
Average salary	$61,481	$105,869
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $87,000	Between $71,000 And $156,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Yonkers, NY
Highest paying state	New York	New York
Best paying company	IBM	Sage Memorial Hospital
Best paying industry	Retail	Technology

Differences between chief accountant and finance controller education

There are a few differences between a chief accountant and a finance controller in terms of educational background:

	Chief Accountant	Finance Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Chief accountant vs finance controller demographics

Here are the differences between chief accountants' and finance controllers' demographics:

	Chief Accountant	Finance Controller
Average age	44	46
Gender ratio	Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0%	Male, 61.5% Female, 38.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 15.3% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 10.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	7%	11%

Differences between chief accountant and finance controller duties and responsibilities

Chief accountant example responsibilities.

Manage and monitor accounting procedures for compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and coordinate and facilitate external audit requirements.
Prepare monthly trial balance, balance sheets, and profit and loss statements according to GAAP.
Prepare monthly account reconciliations (bank reconciliation, accounts receivable reconciliation, accounts payable reconciliation, and general ledger reconciliation).
Research, advise and resolve accounting and business issues, ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP and head office requirements.
Monitor deposits and withdrawals of revenue and expenses, review payroll, and ensure accurate processing and timely bank reconciliations.
Prepare daily SOX audit documentation, ensuring that bank account activity have been reconcile and to identify any outstanding variances.

Finance controller example responsibilities.

Lead the implementation of a fully integrate ERP system resulting in increase financial integrity.
Supervise a staff of seven in the areas of A/P, A/R, G/L, financial reporting and payroll.
Coordinate annual financial audit with external CPA firm and implement internal controls to satisfy recommendations from auditors.
Develop and implement procedures with internal controls for all financial and operational processes to ensure GAAP compliance.
Prepare all accounts for the month-end closing process and additionally gather information for daily/monthly reconciliations and journal entries.
Work with outside CPA on year-end tax planning; ensure the timely filing and payment of corporate taxes.

Chief accountant vs finance controller skills

Common chief accountant skills

External Auditors, 13%
Reconciliations, 10%
General Ledger Accounts, 9%
Balance Sheet Accounts, 7%
Financial Reports, 5%
Internal Controls, 4%

Common finance controller skills

CPA, 7%
Payroll, 7%
Financial Controller, 7%
GAAP, 5%
General Ledger, 5%
Internal Controls, 5%

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Chief Accountant vs Finance Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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